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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Sorry I'm a day late with the Album Of The Week, I was out Christmas shopping last night. Anyways, this week's album is cool as fuck. It is the new release "Doom, Gloom, Heartache & Whiskey" by Viking Skull.

Review:

Brawling, ugly biker, art rock-metal might be an oxymoron in some universes but not, thankfully, in ours. And if the description might be a bit flowery it's still fairly accurate for Viking Skull, who on their third album, Doom Gloom Heartache & Whisky, are clearly dedicated to that most noble of goals: riffs that collapse skulls and hooks that roar with swagger. (Given the title, this is truly a stellar example of truth in advertising.) Not to mention solos, because that's what this kind of music best requires, thus the excellent break on "Start a War" — not merely in the heroic mode but the everything-drops-out-except-for-a-dying-burst follow-through. While the template established doesn't really change much at all for the rest of the album — a notable exception being the acoustic guitar start on "Shot Down" a handy break for breath — it's a formula handled well and the band collectively know how to deliver the material. The lead singer's ear for good shout-alongs intriguingly tempered by a tendency to disappear into the mix a bit — he's not commanding the vocals, more urging the music on with them. Any number of subtle nods to classic hard rock and metal abound (and sometimes unsubtle nods, as with the wink-and-nudge reworking of "Iron Man" on "In Hell," but Viking Skull are a band that knows its history and is out to have a lot of fun with it — which they do. (Ned Raggett, All Music Guide)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Today's "New Band To Burn One To" is Tona. The band is from Serbia and combines the best elements of punk, rock and metal to create an unforgettable blend of relentless sounds. The band just released their debut "1000" for SKC NS, a regional government sponsored label that aims to promote alternative culture in Serbia. Do yourself a favor today and give them a listen.

Review:

"This is an absolute beast. TONA arrive in style with their first proper album, the accomplished production shifting it up a gear from their previous recordings. It's quite clearly one of those that fits into the category of music that has to be played FUCKING LOUD to be properly appreciated. Just as Johann Cruyff pioneered the concept of total football, TONA are exponents of total rock. Every instrument attacks, with George's vocals used rhythmically to intensify the hit. From the outset there's a claustrophobic, machine-like quality to the music, making you feel you're locked in for the duration. The opener "Red Cylinder" is a choking, Motorhead-inspired anthem, and the frantic pace continues with the bluesy, ZZ Top-esque "Pieces". Some temporary relief comes in the first half of the slower, mournful sounding "Box", still my favourite tune, before that too gives way to fist-smashing, Bitch Magnet style riffs.

Even when it slows down, however, such as in "Go Slow", there's no letup in the monstrous heaviness of the impact, in fact the effect is even heightened by the knowledge that another crushing blow is about to be delivered. You can tense yourself in anticipation, but you can't escape from its relentlessly pounding, superhuman power. Elsewhere "Grafit" benefits from being sung in Serbian, possessing a greater ferocity than the previous English version, before the appropriately fluid dirge "Through Water" closes, perhaps mercifully devoid of the brute force of the rest of the album, reflecting the listener's own feelings of being utterly drained from the experience, a soothing and strangely uplifting bandage on the wound. Nonetheless, by that time you've been well and truly battered.

Yes, of course it's a macho thing (they're Serbian, for fuck's sake!), a slightly masochistic kick for those who love a bit of visceral aural punishment. And what kind of indie-pop wanker doesn't? Highly recommended."

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Avant-garde psych-metal trio ZOROASTER has completed work on its new album, "Voice of Saturn". The follow up to "Dog Magic" is scheduled for release on March 10, 2009 via Terminal Doom Records.

Recorded at The Living Room (THE BLACK LIPS, MASTODON) in Atlanta with engineer Ed Rawls, "Voice of Saturn" pushes ZOROASTER's heady mix of mammoth metal and psychotropic shoegaze to skyscraping new heights. From the galloping post-SABBATH rock of the roll out track "Spirit Molecule" to the concrete street cleaning of "Lamen of the Master Therion" and through to the tribal percussive vertebrae of the album's "hidden" closer, "Voice of Saturn" administers in-the-red levels of both the band's mysticism and barbarism in spades. The record features a guest appearance from friend and fellow Atlantean Brent Hinds of MASTODON, who contributes a searing guitar solo to the song "White Dwarf".

ZOROASTER, who has been called "one of the U.S.'s most promising underground metal bands," formed in Atlanta in 2003 out of the need for "sedation by high volumes and low frequencies." The group has met to shining praise from both metal and indie rock press alike since its formation, receiving accolade for its deafening power, use of left-of-center instrumentation (which has included Moog synths, theremins, ominous vocal choirs and even brass sections) and unique take on heavy music. ZOROASTER features a live show that has been described as "an obliteration of the senses," earning the three piece the title of "Atlanta's loudest band."

When asked for a comment on "Voice of Saturn", ZOROASTER guitarist/vocalist Will Fiore stated, "With 'Voice of Saturn', we've continued to expand on our sound, while still keeping that heavy base we started with. The new album is another step in our ongoing evolution."

Four audio snippets from the forthcoming, as-yet-untitled new album from Swedish doom legends CANDLEMASS — "Hammer Of Doom", "If I Ever Die", "Demon Of The Deep" and "Funeral Dreams" — have been posted on the MySpace page of the European branch of Nuclear Blast Records. They will be available online until January 10.

Brooklyn`s A Storm of Light have posted the new song "Sister" off their forthcoming 2xLP+CD collaboration with Toronto`s Nadja. This track can now be found exclusively at A Storm of Light`s MySpace page.

The release, titled Primitive North, features two new songs from A Storm of Light and one lengthy new opus from Nadja. The double vinyl LPs and CD will be packaged together, and also features each band remixing the other`s material. Primitive North will see a March 3, 2009 street date through Robotic Empire.

Early Man is back in the studio, currently working on their long-awaited sophomore full-length with Jack Endino (High on Fire, Zeke, Valient Thorr, Nirvana). The still-untitled album - the follow up to the band`s critically-acclaimed 2005 debut Closing In (Matador) - will be released by The End Records in early 2009. Early Man - guitarist/vocalist Mike Conte, drummer Adam Bennati, guitarist Pete Macy, and bassist Tim Ramage - are keeping fans updated on their progress in the studio at this location.

In anticipation of the release of the forthcoming album, Early Man will be hitting the road for some dates out west with 3 Inches of Blood and Toxic Holocaust.

On October 14, Early Man released the Beware the Circling Fin EP. Beware the Circling Fin`s lead cut, a raging thrasher called "Sinking The Blade," is currently available for download from MetalSucks.net at this location.

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Album Of The Week is "07" by Zeus. The band hails from Amsterdam, and combines elements of old school heavy rock, melodic groove and even some doom. The band released an equally awesome album in 2005 called "Bad Signs" which they plan on re-issuing in case you didn't get it the first time around. For those of you familiar with the band you know what I'm talking about, for those that are not what the hell are you waiting for?

Review:

ZEUS is a Groove Rock band from The Netherlands, and “07” is their second album. It starts off the album with a Samuel L. Jackson sound byte from Die Hard With a Vengeance (“Don’t fuck with me or I’ll shove a lightning bold up your ass! Zeus!”) which seems vaguely fitting for a groove laden Stoner Rock album.

The best description would be that they play Stoner Rock, mixed with some Grunge and Doom influences, and the result is a record with a lot of crushing riffs guitar riffs played with a very dirty guitar tone, raw and gritty vocals and a driving rhythm section. The band mixes the best of Grunge (ALICE IN CHAINS & SOUNDGARDEN) and BLACK SABBATH. These guys aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel or splice genres or write pretentious music. ZEUS is fun, plain and simple.

The biggest draw to the record, though, can also be considered its biggest flaw. It’s not treading new grounds by any means, and the fuzzy guitar tone kind of makes the songs sound a lot older than they actually are, so if you are expecting something revolutionary, you’ll be disappointed. If you can get past that, and considering that the music is great you should, this is one hell of an enjoyable record. Albeit, a bit short.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Oakland, California's HIGH ON FIRE has inked a new deal with Koch Records. The band's new studio album is expected sometime in 2009.

HIGH ON FIRE's former record label, Relapse, will release a live album from the group entitled "Live From The Relapse Contamination Festival" on January 6. The eight-song CD was recorded at the 2003 edition of the festival and includes a cover version of VENOM's "Witching Hour".

HIGH ON FIRE's Matt Pike (guitar, vocals) and Des Kensel (drums) were the featured guests on the October 26, 2008 edition of Indie 103.1 FM's specialty metal program "Chaos with Full Metal Jackie". The interview is now available for streaming at this location.

HIGH ON FIRE's latest album, "Death Is This Communion", was released in September 2007 and has received critical acclaim the world over. Produced by Jack Endino (GREEN RIVER, NIRVANA, SOUNDGARDEN), the CD features some of the band's most intricate songs and arrangements while still maintaining the bruising power of its previous work.

The band's 2004 album, "Blessed Black Wings", was produced by Steve Albini (BIG BLACK, PJ HARVEY). Both producers are known more for underground alternative rock than metal, a fact that made both more appealing to Matt Pike.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Check out this band from Stockholms län, Sweden. They are called Digger Burns and throw a nice little Rock/Southern Rock groove at you. They have six songs posted on their MySpace page and are set to hit the recording studio sometime this month.

HEAVEN AND HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — has finished laying down the basic tracks for its new CD for an early 2009 release via Rhino Records. "It has been a pleasurable experience writing and recording with Ronnie, Tony and Vinny," Butler writes on his web site. "We hope to have the album finished, mixed and ready to go in the next couple of months."

The group's first LP since SABBATH's "Dehumanizer" (1992) is being recorded at Rockfield studios in Wales, England (where "Dehumanizer" was also tracked). According to Butler, he is going to be filming some sort of "making-of" documentary, although it is unclear if that footage will appear on the disc, or as a DVD extra.

Two years ago, Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice reunited to record a trio of new songs for Rhino's "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" before launching a highly anticipated and greatly acclaimed world tour under their new moniker HEAVEN AND HELL. Revitalized by the reunion, the lineup is back in the studio now recording the first-ever full-length studio album from HEAVEN AND HELL. To whet the fans' appetites for the new album, HEAVEN AND HELL returned to the road this past summer for a short stint on the Metal Masters Tour, a month-long North American trek with JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD, and TESTAMENT.

Regarding the band's decision to continue to operate as HEAVEN AND HELL rather than BLACK SABBATH, Iommi told Billboard.com earlier this year, "It really is BLACK SABBATH, whatever we do. We just choose to go out as HEAVEN AND HELL so everyone knows what they're getting [and] so people won't expect to hear 'Iron Man' and all those songs. We've done them for so many years, it's nice to do just all the stuff with did with Ronnie again."

HEAVEN AND HELL will hit the road in early 2009 in support of the new album. So far the following shows have been announced:

BLACK SABBATH's "The Rules Of Hell" box set — which features all three of SABBATH's Dio-era studio releases ("Heaven And Hell", "Mob Rules", "Dehumanizer") and its double live collection ("Live Evil"), each remastered for the first time — sold around 2,650 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in July 2008, according to Nielsen SoundScan."The Rules Of Hell" comes packaged in a deluxe slipcase with extensive liner notes featuring all new interviews with the band.

So, a few folks have been asking about FHJ, so here is what we know (directly from the band I might add)... Five Horse Johnson is currently taking a break from touring and is busy working on material for its next full length album. The band will enter the studio sometime in 2009 when all of the jams are ready for the recording studio. There will also be a greatest hits album called Sweetwater Gasoline that is being released in Australia only and will consist of tracks from their following albums: Double Down, Fat Black Pussy Cat, The Last Men On Earth, and The Mystery Spot.

We are just about to send the new albums from Giant Brain and Sons of Otis to the plant. We should have them back late January, so save some of your holiday cash for those two recordings. Between the both of them, there is well over two hours of heavy music and arty jams to help cure your Winter doldrums. Giant Brain`s Thorn of Thrones is currently available on iTunes, and Sons of Otis` Exiled should be up on the iTunes Store next week (we hope).

Solace will be wrapping up the vocals and mixing on their forthcoming album A.D. sometime over the next month at Mad Oak Studios in Allston, MA. The band has a deadline to meet if they want to have copies of their new album at SXSW, where they will be headlining the Small Stone Showcase at the Room 710 on Friday, March 20, 2009. Not to mention, we have the majority of the finished artwork in our hands, so things are looking good. You can most likely plan on having A.D. ready for mass consumption by March!

Attention Los Natas, where is your new album? You guys have not checked in with us since your last trip to Europa. Anyway, we hope to be releasing the new album from Los Natas somtime during the first half of 2009. When we finally hear from them, we will let you know an exact release date.

Also on the horizon in 2009, new albums from The Brought Low, Sasquatch, Shame Club, Valis, Red Giant, Mos Generator, Tia Carrera, Throttlerod, and possibly a few acts that you have not even heard of yet. Hell, maybe we can get Dixie Witch to fire up their new one as well...

Brooklyn`s Weird Owl has signed to Tee Pee Records and are set to release their debut LP, Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed on February 17.

Weird Owl is a Brooklyn band that resides in the heaviness inherent in the convergence of imagination, poetry and sound. First formed in 2004 and through its odd mutations involving changes in approach and personnel, Weird Owl has arrived at the present day in its most solid and powerful formation yet. Weird Owl has crafted a sonic mindscape inspired by legendary acts such as the 13th Floor Elevators and Crazy Horse that states its relevance to modern-day masters Black Mountain, Dead Meadow, and The Black Angels.

In its first release for Tee Pee Records, entitled Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed, Weird Owl has gathered together a tour de force of its peculiar craft - hypnotic slithering guitar lines, the strange breathiness of cosmic synths, a dash of the punishing heaviness of the riff--all contained within phantasmagoric song structures and expressed with the language of a true visionary experience.

There are many ways to be born, but Weird Owl would like to invite you to witness one of the weirdest: a birth experienced while already living.

Dragontears will play their official debut gig at Roadburn 2009. The band released their second album, Tambourine Freak Machine, in November and will now enter the stage at The Green Room at Roadburn on Friday, April 24. Dragontears was always meant to be a studio project but the band couldn’t resist to play at the most happening festival for psych, doom and stoner rock in Europe. This years festival looks great by the way and includes Saint Vitus, Motorpsycho, Amon Düül II, Colour Haze, Cathedral, Atomic Bitchwax, and many, many more. For more information, visit Roadburn.com.

The Dragontears cover of Bob Dylan`s “Master of War” has just been added to the Bad Afro MySpace page.

The Savannah, Georgia-based KYLESA, who recently finished recordingtheir fourth studio album, will tour Japan for the first time earlynext year. The seven-show trek will correspond with the officialJapanese release of the band's acclaimed 2006 album, "Time Will FuseIts Worth," on Red Cobalt Industries. Additional information about thelimited-edition release, which features new artwork and packaging, canbe found on the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/kylesa).

Thursday, December 11, 2008

By taking the low end guitar heavy elements of stoner rock and merging it with a keen ear for a catchy hook Don Fernando are showing that heavy music can be combined with a pop sensibility to create something unique and exciting. The music is heavy, the guitars are about as loud as you could possibly imagine and their gigs will leave you planted firmly on your arse while humming their melodies and lamenting lost love.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Weathermaker Music, the label owned by touring juggernauts CLUTCH, has inked a multi-year, multiple-release North American deal with Sony/BMG-owned RED Distribution. First on deck, slated for a February 17 release through the formidable alliance, is the new THE BAKERTON GROUP CD entitled "El Rojo".

Produced by CLUTCH and J. Robbins at Magpie Cage Studios in Baltimore, Maryland, "El Rojo" will be the first full-tilt release from THE BAKERTON GROUP, the psychedelic instrumental jazz-laden alter ego of CLUTCH (all four original CLUTCH members make up THE BAKERTON GROUP). In addition, Per Wibergfrom OPETH was brought in to handle all piano, synth and keyboard duties on all 10 of "El Rojo"'s tracks.

Biblical Proof of UFOs will be playing two shows this month to finish up the year. One of them will be with our new guitar player, Kurt Uchtman, and the other (December 20) will be with LA legend Vince Meghrouni joining us on horns (and maybe even harmonica if we can coax it out of him). Please join us in welcoming Kurt to the fold, and we hope to see you out to celebrate the Holidays with Biblical Proof of UFOs... All the necessary details below:

Saturday, December 27: Los Angeles, CA - The Buccaneer Lounge: The Buc is an old fashioned Cleveland-owned and operated joint in Sierra Madre with cheap, stiff drinks and small town, dive bar ambiance. Bring your I.D. and stop by the bank on the way. They do not take credit....But they ARE from CLEVELAND. Woop Woop. Come raise a glass with the UFOs...

Holland`s psychedelic doomsters Toner Low have released their second album, entitled II. The album is available as a double vinyl with a wonderful, embossed gatefold cover at Freebird Records. It`s also been released on CD, available through Toner Low`s DIY-label Roadkill Rekordz. In December the band will tour in Europe.

This lot is from Leeds and sounds something like power violence hardcore in a Man Is the Bastard or Infest vein. We`re releasing their debut 7", entitled The Donor, which is out this month! Listen to an mp3 from it at this link.

The third album is still forthcoming on CD and 2xLP. There are some issues with the printing of the gatefold sleeves which still need to be resolved unfortunately. Apologies to everyone for the delay, but believe me, it will be worth it. Check out one of the songs at this link.

Moss

The primal doom sludgers are hitting the studio for a 12" release, which will give them the chance to complete their work for the 7" we`ve had in the works for years. It will be amazing sonically and visually, and may even smell good too. Should be out in the first quarter of next year.

The Good Wife

We`ll be doing a 7" for this band from Southampton in the UK. A five-piece clearly into making a lot of noxious, churning, adrenalizing noise-rock in a Jesus Lizard, Oxbow, and Stooges manner, with some totally sicko vocals, you can check out some older demo songs on MySpace.

Executive Distraction Tasks

EDT play totally killer modern technical grindcore that goes beyond the limits of human comprehension. We`ll be attempting to capture the frenzy on a CD in 2009. Listen if you dare at www.myspace.com/edtasks.

Geisha

Their second album is out on CD courtesy of Crucial Blast in the USA (www.crucialblast.net) and is picking up rave reviews. The third is in the works and SuperFi should be helping out with that one. Geisha are also planning a UK tour in March 2009, possibly with Ireland included too.

Tractor

The long-planned split 7" with Hey Colossus is still happening. Labels from the States, Scotland and Germany are involved. More news on that soon. If you`d like us to play in your hometown or home country, please get in touch at www.superfirecords.co.uk/tractor.

Monday, December 8, 2008

"Imagine if PJ Harvey had been let loose on the whole of that Desert Sessions album - and then turned the mother UP. Just how good would that have sounded? Exactly. So meet Alix, guaranteed to burn a short cut straight to your heart with their new album 'Ground' - an exhilarating mix of desert dust trail distortion and the unique, soulful vocals of singer Alice, that looks set to establish the band as a prime, international force to be reckoned with. Bologna native Alice Albertazzi has been making waves in the male-dominated stronghold of heavyweight, Sabbath influenced rock for nearly a decade now. Inspired by a love of psychedelic guitars and thunderous grooves, she formed Alix in 1995. After a handful of line up changes, the singer found a set of kindred spirits in the form of Gianfranco Romanelli (bass/slide guitar), Pippo de Palma (guitar) and Andrea Insulla (drums) who would follow her vision through to the present day. Three albums followed - their self-titled debut 'Alix' (1997) then 'Cuore in Bocca' (1999) and "Nessun Brivido" (2001), all of which were released to critical acclaim. 'Ground' is their finest offering yet, and their English language debut. The trademark grooves are there but the songs and sounds are far tighter, far edgier - from the bluesy stomp of 'Lonely', to the patchouli tinged spin out of 'Love' or the turbulent pulse of the title track - Alix have effortlessly seized the disparate threads of grunge rock, 60's psychedelia, folk, and blues, and twisted them into one addictive sonic boom."

Review:

"Bologna-based Alix have been making a name for themselves as ambassadors of the heavyweight desert groove in their native Italy for close to a decade now, but hopefully 'Ground' - their English language debut - will see them make waves further afield. Setting blues, tripped out drones, and Sabbath dirges against the impassioned vocals of singer Alice Albetazzi, 'Ground' heaves with the kind of down 'n' doomy spirit you had hoped the Auf Der Maur album would have. The fuzzed-out sprawl of 'Fun' hurtles its way towards a psychedelic burnout, while the turbo charged throb of the title track sounds like Soundgarden caught in a distortion hurricane with PJ Harvey. Excellent. (Kerrang! Issue #1025 October 02 - 2004)

Track Listing:

01. Out of The Sighs02. Ground03. I'll Be Gone04. Fun05. Spirit06. Like A Flood07. Take My Hands08. Lonely09. Love

Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight return heavier than ever with Lowering the Tone; a 7 song EP of big weighty music recorded live and loud in November 2008.

Lowering the Tone is the band's second self released album and the first with the new line up that now includes Dicky on bass, previously from UK doom lords Olde Crone. It's full of riffs, grooves, cosmic vocals and good old fashion songs. Feast those skinny little ears on this sumptuous Smorgasbord of sounds.

Fairhaven, MA, (December 7, 2008) – Mountain Mirrors founder Jeff Sanders has just announced that all three of the Mountain Mirrors LP’s (Dreadnought, Lunar Ecstasy and the self – titled Mountain Mirrors) are now available for free download at Jamendo.Com, an influential international platform for downloading free and legal music. Speaking about this new offering Sanders states "Jamendo is awesome. It's got a great vibe... for an independent artist with almost no radio airplay or live shows, Creative Commons is crucial. And Jamendo makes it easy for people to download (and share) music with a clear conscience."

The Ripple Effect writes of Mountain Mirrors, "Imagine if you will, walking through a forest that's enshrouded in dense fog. Visibility is only a few hundred feet in any direction. Moisture glistening off of the surrounding foliage as your breath bellows from your mouth in a cloud of steam. The crunch of leaves and decay under every footstep being the only sound to accompany the animal-like howl of the wind. Kinda' creepy out here all alone, huh? That's the power of Mountain Mirrors self titled album."

What a beautiful record to listen to! I absolutely loved Jeff's "Voices" but in my opinion "Lunar Ecstasy" is pure ambient/psychedelic bliss. Mountain Mirrors, which is the solo project of outstanding musician Jeff Sanders, takes all things ambient and psychedelic and adds in electronica and some pretty, yet exceptionally heavy riffage to create this album of serenity gone a little mad. Things are so beautiful in this world of lunar ecstasy that Jeff has created. There is so much to get out of this album. Deep-seated in mid-sixties hippy psychedelica (which brings to mind while listening visions of flowers and peace and all things good) and extending to the epic song writing talents of 70's era Led Zeppelin and even adding in the strangeness of the electronic beats of bands like Mouse on Mars. That's quite the feat, and Jeff has accomplished this with finesse. Even bringing in elements of Pink Floyd and speaking to us in the language of a shaman, full of wisdom and truth and the search for truth. Mountain Mirror's "Lunar Ecstasy" is a brilliant piece of work. Fit for poets and travelers and seekers and those just wanting something sweet and sad, yet beautiful to listen to. I love this album. Lunar Ecstasy is amazing.(StonerRockChick)

THIS IS A GREAT LISTEN! From the Beck - like Lunar Ecstasy to the hauntingly beautiful instrumental Apparition to the accoustic track Where the Green Meets the Blue to another hauntingly beautiful instrumental called Afterlife, complete with breathtaking orchestration. The psychedelic Last Resort and the song about the Viet Nam war, Agent Orange. I did not go over every song on Lunar Ecstasy, just the very best!(in my mind)But believe me, every song is an excellent listen! Jeff has really come into his own with Lunar Ecstasy. I am a big fan of the s/t first cd, but Lunar Ecstasy is mind blowing! (Darryl Baysinger, HellrideMusic.com)

Mountain Mirrors as described by founder Jeff Sanders is “Heavy acoustic music from the wood of Massachusetts”. Musical influences range from Led Zeppelin to Opeth to Portishead as well as unexplained phenomena like Karma, ghosts and the afterlife.

Jamendo.com is the world’s # 1 platform for free and legal music downloads. Available in six languages it offers the largest catalog of music underneath Creative Common Licenses. For artists it is an easy and efficient way to publish, share and promote their music, through revenue sharing and commercial partnerships. For more information visit www.Jamendo.com

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Alright guys and girls, it's that time of year to start the annual compiling of the best albums of the year. At the end of January, I will compile a list of my favorites along with a list of all of my reader's favorites. So make yourself heard and let everyone know what your favorite album was. If you want, you guys can send me a Top 5, Top 10, whatever, or you can just leave a comment with your lists. Your lists do not have to be entirely Stoner Rock/Doom related. I love all kinds of metal and know that my number one isn't even Stoner/Doom. Get to thinking now!

SERPENTINA SATELITE was formed by the end of 2003 in Lima, Peru. Band members are: Aldo Castillejos (drums), Felix Dextre (bass/vocals), Flavio Castillejos (voices/poetry), Dolmo (lead/rhythm guitar) and Renato Gomez (rhythm/lead guitar/vocals). In late 2004 the band edited independently their first EP named LONG PLAY, featuring 5 epic songs which oscillate among calm, violence and ecstasy, in the spirit of Space and Krautrock. Constant appearances, underground festivals and freak-outs followed during the next years under the cloudy city of Lima. Now, their new record NOTHING TO SAY gets released on TRIP IN TIME (distributed by World in Sound). Again, it is an extended 5 track epic recording but this time, SERPENTINASATELITE brings us a turbulent and more powerful rough sound. For best listening pleasure, this EP was mastered analogue in Walldorf at Perplex Tonstudio (Guru Guru, Embryo, Kraan). The epic opener NUEVA OLA takes you right away on a mysterious trip to the satellite’s new musical galaxy. And for the title track NOTHING TO SAY, better fasten your seatbelts—this is a high energy rock & roll freak-out! THE LAST DROP and MADRIPOOR establish the EP's strong overdrive sound before KOMMUNE I, a final 23 minute journey to the roots of psychedelia.

Review:

"South America is quickly becoming one of the greater sources for Heavy Rock. This time around, Peru's Serpentina Satelite is the impressive act making its way from the Southern hemisphere to my most highly rated MP3's.

Got a hankering for drawn out chords with a melodic adventorous tone? This atmospheric fivesome has an aggressively tasty touch instrumentally. Lyrically, vocallythere are some weak points, but even there I can make a very respectable comparison. Imagine Henry Rollins meets EITS, with a chiming of H.U.M.

Nothing To Say being their second EP since banding together in 2003, these guys will be an indie to look for in 2009. Look to track one Nueva Olva for an epic gouging of the experimental guitar soul. A bit of tweaking on the vocals and I'm begging for their next release. In fact, I'm on the trail for a copy of their first EP oddly, but I imagine deservingly titled Longplay" (Brian Rutherford, Musicemissions.com)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Fast-rising Swedish psych-rock band Dead Man has announced 2009 U.S. tour dates in support of its critically acclaimed new album, Euphoria. The quartet, quickly becoming known for its colorful songwriting and dynamic live performances will make its U.S. live debut on February 5 at the Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY.

Dead Man, whose members possess a wealth of musical experience derived from time spent in various Swedish acts (including the hard rock band Norrsken, which also featured in its ranks current Witchcraft front man Magnus Pelander and Graveyard members Joakim Nilsson and Rikard Edlund), play magnetic, spirited rock with melancholic undertones and “a slight touch of darkness” (calling for comparisons to Jefferson Airplane, Blue Cheer, Dungen, and Dead Meadow). Each member of the quartet is a multi-instrumentalist, which allows the band to build unique, lush atmospheres replete with both acoustic tinge and electric crunch.

Recorded at the famous Svenska Grammofon Studion (The Hives) and released via MeteorCity, Euphoria is an album that bridges both the soulful and the psychedelic as dynamic yet incisive songwriting effortlessly fuses with shivering vocals and an expansive, emotive tenor. The record is thick with analog warmth and a laid back, confident overall feel, connecting the dots where the adventurous folk-rock of the late 60’s overlapped with metal’s prehistoric commingling with blues-rock and prog in the early 70’s.

The track listing for Euphoria is as follows:

1.) Today2.) High or Low3.) Footsteps4.) I Must Be Blind5.) From A Window6.) Light Vast Corridors7.) The Wheel8.) Rest in Peace9.) A Pinch of Salt10.) Euphoria11.) July

Joining the band on the major market U.S. tour will be blues rock act Radio Moscow. The hallucinatory Dead Man track “Rest in Peace” has been posted online and can be heard now at this location.

Fans in Montreal and Toronto will have one last chance this year to catch Iron Giant as they continue spreading the gospel of their acclaimed release, Creator of Scars (Diminished Fifth - 2008)

“The Giant`s stoked to get back to Montreal for our third visit this year! It`s like the Giant`s second home!” says vocalist Chris Lewis. “It`s been way too long since the Giant hit T.O., and we`ve already started to miss our brothas in Maximum R`n`R after the week we just spent with them on the E.C. So we can`t wait to share the stage with them and the Bastard Child Death Cult at the Bovine! It`s gonna be a messy weekend!”

It has been a very busy fall for Moncton, New Brunswick’s Iron Giant. In the past 60 days, Iron Giant has conquered the Beastage in the Eastage Tour (which had them on a journey with Maximum RNR and Brutal Knights), they also performed at the Jagermeister Showcase at the 2008 Halifax Pop Explosion and headlined at Newfoundland’s Rock Can Roll Festival. Now before the year can end, the Giant must return to Montreal and Toronto for two select dates to remind everyone why they are the kings of East Coast Rock ‘N Roll!

Friday, December 12: Montreal, QC - The Green Room, with The Great SabatiniSaturday, December 13: Toronto, ON - Bovine Sex Club, with Maximum RNR and Bastard Child Death Cult

As previously reported, legendary sludge rockers 16 have resurrected themselves from beneath the ashes to a living, breathing, take no prisoners war machine. The band will perform their entire new Relapse release, Bridges to Burn, from front to back, tonight at the Relax Bar in Los Angeles, California.

Just added to the bill is Giant Squid. The full line-up is as follows:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based act BISON B.C. is getting what every band dreams of — a custom beer! For one night only, Bison Beer will be served when the band joins the bill at the former Storyeum building (151 Cordova Street) in Vancouver tonight (Friday, December 5) as part of the Transmission Conference.

According to Matt Phillips, CEO of Victoria's Phillips Brewing Company, it was producer Tyl van Toorn's idea. "I don't know how serious it was," Phillips told Straight.com, "but I guess there were some negotiations going on to get them to play, and Tyl said, 'We'll get a beer done for you.'"

Phillips Brewing relabelled its popular Phoenix Gold lager with amended cover artwork from BISON B.C.'s "Quiet Earth" album and added the line "Please Don't Throw Me At the Stage."

Phillips said that the company is producing "about 30 dozen cases" of Bison Beer, but wouldn't say how many were going straight to singer-guitarist James Farwell and his cohorts. "There's some stuff that I just don't know if I can disclose," he told Straight.com.

Commented the band: "We wanna say a huge thanks to our bros over at Phillips Brewery on Vancouver Island for making a dream come true. We think this is pretty fucking rad."

Carlos Ramirez of IGN.com has compiled a list of the 10 best doom metal bands. Ramirez writes, "Doom metal is one of metal's many offshoots and it hasn't ever achieved the kind of commercial or even, critical praise that a lot of the lesser interesting ones have. The bands within this smaller scene bow to the altar of Tony Iommi and BLACK SABBATH. Some just go out and outright ape every characteristic of their sound while most simply focus on the slower paced, death-marches the band showcased on songs like 'Black Sabbath' and the funeral opening of 'War Pigs'.

"We've out together a list of the ten best bands in doom-metal history. We wanted the list to reflect the scene's rich diversity so we tried to pick bands from every stylistic pocket of that world. You'll see BLACK SABBATH referenced a lot throughout the picks but even the bands would admit they wouldn't play the way they play if it weren't for Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward."

In the beginning of 2009, Heaven and Hell Records will be releasing re-issues of the first two Twisted Tower Dire albums, The Curse of Twisted Tower and Isle of Hydra. Both will be a limited 1,000 press two-disc set. Each will include a ton of bonus material from the beginning of the band’s career up through the time of each album’s original release date. Including material never before released on CD. More details to follow soon.We are proud to be working with one of the best underground true heavy metal bands around today. Over their career TTD have built a strong cult following among the legions of heavy metal fans around the world that has truly been earned. The power, the glory, and the honor of these real metal warriors is more than deserving of these upcoming releases. Please watch for more details on these releases, they are sure to satisfy all fans both new and diehards.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Formed in '95 by Servenack, Fabian, and a drum machine due to a shared love of heavy music, and a lack of it in their surrounding area. The band subsequently released two self-produced demos in '96 & '97 before disbanding in '98 due to personal issues. The band was reformed in the summer of '01 with drummer and long time friend Rob Craig. Together they began writing songs and playing shows before releasing their first demo cd-r "Taste of Gray" in '02. Since then the band has released two more demo cd-r's "Visions Old, Feelings Cold" in '03 and "Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless" in '04 all of which recieved very positive reviews, helping to create a healthy following in the underground music scene. To this day Centrifuge continues to create "their unique brand of hypnotic, progressive-yet-spartan sounding doom".

Check out their latest release "Desolate".

Review:

Sometime when you and I weren't paying attention Ohio's Centrifuge recorded and released a new album entitled Desolate on French label Paradise Noise. And well...it is. But we'll get to this later. Centrifuge isn't a foreign band to these parts but I've always somehow found it conspicuous how little they were talked about. Here is a band that is playing three-man, plutonium heavy doom metal with total heart and commitment and...nothing. I'll be the first to admit they approach it in an unorthodox fashion, leaning heavily on the more hypnotic and psychedelic elements of doom that are not often exploited. But the end result is the same, low to mid paced tempo, a strong but understated riff and a focus on the darker side of things and no messing about with anything else. The album is named Desolate for chrissake. This is their third album (first two self-released) and perhaps not coincidentally I received the Centrifuge demo Taste of Grey at around the same time from a generous soul. So not only did I now have some of the oldest recorded Centrifuge material but also I had the newest and everything (that I know to exist) in between. When I first played Desolate, I wasn't sure what to think. It was calm and influencing at one moment and then forceful and unyielding the next, all with intricately woven riffs melting one emotion into the next. Make no mistake, this is an emotional album. But I was having difficulty putting it in context.

So I loaded Winamp with the four releases I have and placed it on random and listened to it for days. Two things struck me instantly: 1) How well defined their vision has been since the beginning, with Taste of Grey; and 2) how much the new songs off Desolate stood out. They were instantly recognizable with a less calculated, more organic feel than the past releases. By contrast, if it weren’t for sheer familiarity it would be difficult for me to distinguish tracks from Sadness, Loveless, Hopeless, Endless, Visions Old, Feelings Cold and a few from the demo.

Just as you would expect from a three piece that has been together since the beginning they are tight as hell. I’m no expert on guitar effects or tone but the best description I can come up with is the album title. Although the sound is exceedingly dense and even stifling at times (in a good way) they give breathers through the tracks that provide a nice reprieve and accent the heaviosity. This was not so apparent in their previous releases. So in spite of all this it leaves an atmosphere of desolation and emptiness that might have a soundtrack from one of those avant-garde “silent musicians.”

This is no doubt due to the top-notch production/engineering job by Jeff Shrilla. Jeff knows exactly the sound Centrifuge is going for and nailed it. I’m especially a fan of the drums; it is nearly perfect to these ears. Rob Craig’s style and talent is crystal clear on this disc. The highs are crisp and sharp and the lows sound of booming war drums, signaling your demise. I really can find no fault with the production at all. It emphasizes the overall mood, emotion and intent as any proper production should.

The distance of the vocals and Todd Fabian’s tone provide another unique aspect that defines Centrifuge. Slightly nasal, more monotone, calm and restrained delivery balanced with harsh gravel-throated bursts of aggression to punctuate the more vitriolic moments (don’t think sludge vocals, these are mostly intelligible). It should be noted that the vocals are more continually varied than in past releases with more range being exploited. I anticipate that statement may draw a few cringes. But relax, this band is elephantine, there are no operatics and Todd knows his range. It's still Centrifuge, and it is used as an integral part of the music, to influence the mood. A perfect example is the chorus of "Through and Through." The muted vocal crescendo highlights the guitars in a way that makes me bang my head furiously.

There are a lot of odd, head tilting, eyebrow furrowing moments on this release. And I mean that in the highest possible regard. The, "Did they really just do that?" reaction. The odd, understated outro to “Overcome”, opening the album with the longest track (the 11:30 long, epic track “Absence”) and the unpredictable tempo changes in “Resolution” are just a few.

Lyrics, as in the past, are selectively discernable. And, as always, there is no on-line or CD liner booklet help. Like I said before, the lyrics are mostly intelligible but I still like to see them when I open up the CD. And again the packaging is pretty spartan, comparable to previous releases.

Quite simply Centrifuge has achieved a new pinnacle. This has been done by NOT changing their sound, by NOT experimenting but by staying focused on their sound and allowing it to mature and develop. The biggest improvement overall is easy. Songwriting. They could easily be pegged as monotonous on previous releases if one doesn’t really listen. This time they are giving their songs more contrast and dynamics. And when the shortest track on the CD is nearly 7 minutes, this is very important. There is no tedium or boredom with any track and I’m often disappointed to see that a 7+ minute track is already over.

My only complaint may be that there are not enough good 'ol guitar solos. I realize that this may distract from the more hypnotic nature of some of the repetitive riffing but I feel the band conveys that well enough when Matt Servenack is in full on solo heaven that a little sacrifice elsewhere may give this colossus even more bite. If we dare unleash such a beast.

This review should have been up weeks ago instead of listening to it over and over. But it sucked me in and I kept finding more things to write about. So excuse my opus here, it is pared down quite a bit from my first draft. I blame Chris Barnes because if the interview with Centrifuge was never done I never would have found out that this is a band that creates high quality, focused metal that only a band that really knows what it wants to sound like is able to. They have stuck to their guns and refined their sound with every release until we have this masterpiece. Do yourself a service and check this out. (Merlot Brougham, HellrideMusic.com)

It is with extreme honor that Southern Lord can now officially announce two new inductees to their eclectic, congregation of auditory purveyors. Coincidentally both bands are duos - each consisting of merely a guitarist and a drummer. The similarities don`t end there; they are both mammoth, monstrous, and completely slay! Welcome Black Cobra and Eagle Twin to the mix...

Black CobraRafa Martinez and Jason Landrian have been coalescing Black Cobra`s sonic brew for nearly six years now, yet neither were strangers to heaving heavy riffage prior, with Rafa doing time with Acid King and 16, and Jason in Cavity. But the pair unleash a tone heavier than a trio of both guitar and drums. Their impenetrable hardcore doom chemistry evokes an intensity that sets them apart from the others, both live and recorded. The band have toured seemingly endlessly on both US and foreign soil ssince their 2002 inception, sharing the stage with The Sword, Weedeater, High on Fire, Torche, and countless other bands in the upper ranks of metal and doom, most times blowing the competition away completely. Black Cobra plans to record their first album for Southern Lord sometime in the first half of 2009, with more info and tour dates to be announced very shortly.

Eagle TwinHailing from Salt Lake City, the mighty Eagle Twin has mainly solidified into proper form over the course of this year. Guitarist Gentry Densley is a very old friend whose previous band Iceburn was one of the most interesting and incredible bands of the 90`s hardcore/post-hardcore movement. Gentry and Greg Anderson (Southern Lord, sunn 0))), Goatsnake) collaborated on the Ascend album Ample Fire Within record, released by Southern Lord earlier this year. The Eagle Twin sound is stained with early doom and blues-roots rock backing mythology of epic Old Testament proportions. Drummer Tyler "T-Top" Smith beats the living shit out of his drums and perfectly compliments the thunderous fire that bursts out of Gentry`s antique tube amplification! The band will be recording their debut album with Randall Dunn (Earth, sunn 0))), ) in Seattle this Winter and it should be released before summer of 2009.

Saturday, December 6, Bible of the Devil will celebrate the release of their fifth full-length effort, Freedom Metal (Cruz Del Sur Music). And what better way to do so than with a FREE show in their hometown of Chicago!Saturday, December 69 pm sharp - FREE (21 and over)Cobra Lounge235 N. Ashland, Chicago, IL

Bible of the Devil (Chicago Twin-V Air Superiority Rock)Midnight (evil incarnate from Cleveland, members Boulder and Destructor)Bloodcow (Omaha`s most brewtal and un-311-esque export)Imperial Battlesnake (Chicago Sentinals of the Hardland)

BOTD will also have on hand new copies of the long-awaited “The Auld Dirt Road”/”False Dreams” split 7" single with Valkyrie (Heavy Birth Records), and an array of new merch.

Some early reviews of Freedom Metal:

"...Guitarist-vocalists Mark Hoffmann and Nate Perry, drummer Greg Spalding and bassist Darren Amaya are the real deal, synthesizing a wide array of classic-metal influences, attacking them with a modern stoner-rock/doom attitude and delivering the head-banging goods stronger than ever with songs such as `Hijack the Night` and `The Turning Stone` from the new album Freedom Metal."- Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times

"A couple years ago, I implied that BOTD had achieved their Stained Class with The Diabolic Procession. This is the album that may, years from now, have another band achieving their Freedom Metal."- Ray Dorsey, Ray`s Chaos Realm

Monday, December 1, 2008

Legendary Swedish doom metallers CANDLEMASS have completed work on their new album for an early 2009 release.

Commented bassist/songwriter Leif Edling: "We've worked on [the CD] all autumn and it feels really good that it is completed. The sound is superfat, heavy as hell, and very organic/dynamic at the same time. Our friend Chris [Laney; RANDY PIPER, ZAN CLAN] has done a great job mixing it!! I personally think this album is the best one of the three we have released in the new millennium, easy!! It is bigger, better, louder and a bit more mature, I must say!! It is our 'Heaven And Hell', hehe. And if you guys behave and eat your vegetables, we just might be able to add a couple of sound bits on the C-MASS site. Maybe the wait for the release in May next year will be easier. Check this page sometime before X-mas. The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that we can't call it 'Hammer Of Doom', after one of the songs on it. A brand new stupid festival in Germany calls themselves that! Who spilled the beans??? Well, well… the album absolutely KILLS and we will surely come up with a suitable name for it."

Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS performing at the Sweden Rock Cruise, which was held October 9-10, can be viewed below (clips uploaded by "blackopalrough").

CANDLEMASS has been confirmed for next year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 14-16, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England.

"Lucifer Rising", the new EP from CANDLEMASS, in October entered the Greek International Repertoire Chart at position No. 31.

"Lucifer Rising" includes two brand new tracks — "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God" — plus re-recorded version of "Demon's Gate" live in the studio. As a bonus, you get an audio recording of most of last year's gig from Athens, Greece: "At The Gallows End", "Solitude", "Emperor Of The Void", "Devil Seed", "Under The Oak", "Mirror Mirror", "Of Stars And Smoke", "Black Dwarf" and "Samarithan".

CANDLEMASS' last CD, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22, 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records.

CANDLEMASS, mixer Chris Laney and other studio personnel at Polar studios in Stockholm:

"The stoner rock/metal pool is a considerably large one, full of bands venerating the 70's sound of the giants such as Sabbath and Deep Purple. As with most cult genres, there is a lot of rubbish floating about, and often the music is extremely one-dimensional and simply ripps off the sound. Of course there are some real gems around, and certainly "Demons" is a gravely overlooked stroke of genius. For one thing the general feel of the album is far superior to many of the stoner bands. The initial impression of the special edition version is accomplished, dark and refined cover art, recalling the mysterious and tongue-in-cheek stylings of Sabbath. This is wonderfully fresh when you consider the somewhat token art of many stoner bands, such as Bongzilla and Monster Magnet's wacky colours and cover designs. So straight away you get the sense of a "serious" group of musicians trying to professionally re-create the olden metal days with a new twist. And the job is done very admirably.

The first thing that strikes me about this album is the fantastic groove throughout that never at any point becomes tiresome. Too many times these type of bands simply re-hash repetitive riffing, but on "Demons" Amott's guitar writing is spot on. Sumptuous time changes and riff chopping/changing that simply floors you as a listener, making you guess the next direction they will take makes this a display of refined and ultimately skilful playing.

There are plenty of straight up hard rock songs, such as the energetic "Throwing Your Life Away", which acts as a perfect kick-start after the scene-setting intro. The next two tracks are once again simplistic in approach but executed with such energy and power, the chorus to "Salt In Your Wounds" is extremely catchy, and the commanding vocal delivery from JB in "One Man Army" is sure to get your adrenaline going. The last of the simple formula comes in "Treading Water", which while being decent, is possibly the weakest track on the album, as it simply becomes a bit mundane after a few listens.

In between the formulaic (but still very fun) rockers, Amott shows off his writing and playing ability on some absolutely gorgeous pieces. This is mostly in the middle of the album, in the form of "Through The Halls", "Dying Every Day", "Born To Die" and "In My Blood". These songs simply ooze class, mostly in the structure department, for example the dreamy, swimming verse and chorus of "Through The Halls" gives way to a thunderous sludging riff with excellent time changes and flowery guitar work. "Dying Every Day" is perhaps my favourite part of the album, it flows through so many different directions seamlessly, from the adrenaline pumping main riff, the slower dreamy chorus, then (similar to "Through The Halls") into a massively heavy low end riff, some more fine solos, time changes, riff changes...quite simply everything you can desire from a classic metal song. "In My Blood" is definitely the heaviest song on the album; JB's low growly vocals give it a dirty, gritty feeling, complemented perfectly by the most brutal of riffs, a definite killer track. Mention should also go to the fine closer `No One Heard', possibly the darkest song on the album with a fine `bleak' quality that ends a superb album with a fine sophisticated edge.

If you are a fan of the old metal days, giants such as Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple etc...then you should seriously consider this album. It is horribly overlooked, but they seem to be getting more recognition with the release of `Demons', which is certainly deserved." (Tom Chase, Amazon.com customer)

Track Listing:

Disc: 1

1. Inner Strength (Intro) 2. Throwing Your Life Away 3. Salt in Your Wounds 4. One Man Army 5. Through the Halls 6. Treading Water 7. Dying Every Day 8. Born to Die 9. Born to Die (Reprise) 10. In My Blood 11. Elusive 12. Sleeping with One Eye Open 13. No One Heard

Legendary sludge rockers 16 have resurrected themselves from beneath the ashes to a living, breathing, take no prisoners war machine. In the last two years they have managed to write new material, get a deal with Relapse and schedule a show that will be taking place at the premiere venue for underground metal and rock In Los Angeles, The Relax Bar.

16 has promised to perform their entire new Relapse release, Bridges to Burn, from front to back. The release date for 16`s Bridges to Burn is Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

Also joining 16 on Saturday, December 6, 2008 will be Chingalera and Green and Wood. Show is 21+, $10 admission. Doors open at 8 pm and show starts at 8:30 pm. 16 will hit stage at 11:30 pm.

EH 124: The Kings Of Frog Island - 2The second album of Mat Bethancourts (Josiah) magnificent side-project is available now on CD. If the blues was invented in 2008 it had to sound like this! Ten brilliant dark tracks between blues, gospel, stoner and doom. An outstanding album. A limited and hand numbered edition of 500 LPs on 180gr. high quality vinyl is in preparation now.

EH 126: My Sleeping Karma - SatyaThe new album of My Sleeping Karma is available now on CD. Melting relaxation and euphoria in an unique way, is this time being explored with lots of experiments, many lovely details and adept melodies. Instrumental music in it`s finest way. As MSK say: "Chill and Rock is one family." LPs of the new and the first album will follow.

EH 127: Los Natas - Ciudad De Brahman LPNow in print is one of my favorite albums of all time. The re-release of Los Natas` 1998 classic is now on vinyl for the first time ever! 180gr.high quality pressing and limited to 750 copies on black and 250 copies on transparent yellow vinyl (no loss in sound quality compared to plain colours...). Available in about two weeks...

EH 128: Cherry ChokeIn preparation is the debut album of Mat Bethancourt`s (Josiah) new band. Hard 60`s garage psychedelic rock - Mat never fails to make a brilliant record...

Upcoming releases on Elektrohasch

We are working on the re-release of the long sold out first two records by Saturnia (we also plan something on vinyl here)

New in the Elektrohasch family is the outstanding young danish rock group Highway Child - bringing back the rock as it should sound, with a very skilled and talented group and an outstanding singer. Elektrohasch is going to rerelease the debut album soon!

Josiah plans to release a last farewell album containing unreleased, new, and live tracks.

Ugh! finally has a new guitarist and is working on new material.

We are also working on a DCD+DVD Box featuring this years fantastic Duna-Jam happening, which we plan to release in winter. Including live recordings of Baby Woodrose, Causa Sui, Josiah, Dyse, Rotor, Colour Haze, and others.

I also didn`t forget the regular Colour Haze live album. When I`ll find the time I hope I can work on it again and mix the recordings of further shows to complete the audio material.

Additionally (and most probably much earlier), the recording of the Colour Haze show at this years Burg Herzberg Festival is going to be released by Herzberg Publishing and will be also available through Elektrohasch.

Hypnos 69 News

It has been a while ago, but here are some new issues regarding Hypnos 69.

We`ve had a nice summer, played on several great festivals, met a lot of nice people and made even more new fans!

In order to work on our forthcoming album, we decided not to do too much shows until the end of 2008, since we`d like to have the CD/LP in your hands around March 2009.

Hypnos 69 also welcomes aboard Sébastien Monteaud as our brand new manager. He is working with his organisation Crescendo on a big European CRESCENDO tour with Hypnos 69, Karcius, Crazy World, and Hamadryad for 2009.

Together with a new album, we`re also putting an effort in composing a double live album to cover what we`ve been doing live for the past two years. Both releases will of course appear on our favourite psychedelic label Elektrohasch.

That`s it for now, hope to meet you soon and thanks for your time reading this.

At A Loss is pleased to announce it will be working with St. Augustine, Florida`s female/male duo Dark Castle, releasing their next full length album in 2009. Phillip Cope (Baroness/Kylesa/Withered) recently recorded the tracks for the upcoming release at the infamous Jam Room, capturing the band`s unique brand of metallic , psyche-doom. More album and tour info will definitely be announced shortly...

The Black Cobraduo is on the road with Torcheand Cloudsnow, ripping their way through the middle and southern parts of the country on their way west, where a duo of shows with Dub Trioand a gig with Totimoshiawait. At A Loss Records will re-issue the band`s debut self-titled 7" before the end of the year.

How the hell does a vinyl release not happen until over three years later? We will just use the old "for reasons beyond our control" on this one. Some of that is actually true too! Anyway, after a huge wait, Minsk`s Out of a Center Which is Neither Dead nor Alivewill be available on double LP format. The double LP goodness will be wrapped up in a gatefold cover (new design too), with rad inner sleeves all by the one and only Tony Wyioming. We will also be including a free digital download card with every double LP so you can listen to it on your digital device.

Still supporting this year`s soul-dredging juggernaut Twilight Ritual, Arkansas` sludge-metal messiahs Deadbirdare teaming up with their doomster brethren Zoroasterfor a quick assault on the American South.

OM, Six Organs of Admittance, Skullflower, and A Storm of Light confirmed for Neurosis` Beyond the Pale"The mission of Beyond the Pale is for us to honour the spirit and power of sound with people that we feel are kindred spirits"- Steve Von Till.

OM, Six Organs of Admittance, Skullflower, A Storm of Light, The Young Gods, Akimbo, US Christmas, and Guapo, along with Neurosis, have been confirmed for the inaugural European version of Neurosis’ acclaimed Beyond The Pale festival, set to be held at Roadburn 2009 on Saturday, April 25 at the 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland.

Scott Kelly comments: "Om is such a rare bird in the vast landscape that is sound, music, art, and emotive expression that they absolutely defy description. The straightest line is the quickest path to the godhead, Om know this, it is the foundation of their mountain. The meditative nature of the patterns and rhythms found within the speaker flexing sonic blanket that they weave is unparalleled. Om is the heaviest band to ever walk the face of the earth."

"Josh Graham is a prolific individual, a man driven to create. In the years that we have spent together collaborating in Neurosis he has shown himself to be a visionary artist as well as a diligent worker. A Storm Of Light is born of this obsession; it is an ominous sound, a cloud of oppressive doomage. Equal parts heavy and hypnotic, A Storm Of Light is a band grown from truth."

"When you see Akimbo you see a band that has been hardened from the road, a band that has been focused on the sound and the sound alone, and a culmination of experience thrown at you on a lightning bolt."

"US Christmas will be the true revelation of Beyond the Pale at Roadburn `09. From deep in the Appalachians in North Carolina comes the sound of three guitars, two Theremins, and a rhythm section straight from the centre of the earth.”

Steve Von Till comments: "All must bow before the pagan wall of drone - I couldn`t agree more with the opening quote of Skullflower`s semi-official website. Hearing the tortured distorted and eerily shamanic drones emanate from the stereo for the first time in the early nineties was truly a revelation. IIIrd Gatekeeper and Obsidian Shaking Codex are two of my all time favourite albums and have been extremely influential on the way my brothers and I approach guitar-based heavy music: to grab an electric guitar, drive a loud amplifier to its physical limit, and ride the drone into oblivion is ecstasy, and Matthew Bower has been showing us all how it is done for 20-odd years. Finally after all these years we will all get to witness the power together at Beyond The Pale 2009."

"The words `psych folk,` although being a genre of music I feel a passion and affinity for, have begun to lose their meaning and significance over the last several years. A so-called `revival` has dredged up wave upon wave of shallow rehash. Ben Chasny and his Six Organs of Admittance, often tagged by that limiting genre, is a bright flower of inspiration to bring us all hope and remind us that as movements devolve, free spirits can rise above and remain vital among the pale imitators. Fearless and able to avoid the pitfalls and traps of classification he has constantly managed to play cathartic soul music. Not `soul` music, but music that accompanies transformation and the journey of one’s spirit. We are pleased to have this tonal psychonaut join us for this special event."

"Over the years we have continued to admire The Young Gods’ music and their contribution to original heavy music", says Steve Von Till, "One of my favourite daily rituals during our brutal touring schedule in the late ‘90s was hearing our soundman Dave Clark test the local PA systems with The Young Gods, pushing the speakers to their limits. We are proud to have The Young Gods appearing with us this year for Beyond the Pale at Roadburn 2009."

"Guapo`s albums have only become more intriguing, delving deeper into a strange space both claustrophobic and expansive, leaving most of their so called “prog” counterparts seeming to wander inertly with a lack of emotion. Guapo will absolutely bring a desired level of depth and complex harmonics to Beyond the Pale."

Saint Vitus to Headline Friday Roadburn Festival Date, Friday April 24, 2009David Chandler comments: “We are extremely happy that were invited to Roadburn and we are excited to play. Those of you that saw us on the original reunion tour in 2003 are going to be extremely surprised at our set list. We are pulling stuff out of the hat that we haven’t played in a long long time. So I suggest that you all get up front and prepare for your DOOM!”

Legendary US doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus have been confirmed as the headliner for Friday`s April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival.

Saint Vitus is known as one of the very first doom metal bands, starting out in the late 1970`s, and have released many classic albums over the ensuing decades. Although Saint Vitus has been on hold for several years now, they will be reforming as the classic Born Too Late line-up (Dave Chandler, Scott "Wino" Weinrich, Mark Adams, Armando Acosta) headlining Friday night at Roadburn 2009.

Over the last two decades, Saint Vitus has become revered as one of the main architects of the modern doom scene, encompassing all that doom metal is all about: emotion, melody and epic songs stacked with enough behemoth riffs to light a week long bonfire. Every note the band has ever put to tape is a benchmark by which all other doom records have been judged. Saint Vitus classic phrase “Born too late” has become the war cry for generations of doom-aficionados.

Wino comments: "We will be playing a lot of everybody’s favourite stuff. Also, my project band Wino will be playing as well, playing tracks from my solo record, Punctuated Equilibrium, and some surprises too!"

Firmly rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Angel Witch, comprised of guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, Chris Fullard (guitar), Will Palmer (bass), and Andy Prestidge (drums) will celebrate the genre`s 30th anniversary by playing songs from the band`s legendary self-titled debut album, and singles from that era.

Roadburn is also pleased to report that post-metal stalwarts Baroness and Minsk have been confirmed for the Thursday Roadburn date, April 23.

"Baroness` Red Album has pushed them to the forefront of underground metal. Combining thunderous riffs, roaring vocals and crashing drums, the band has created a monumental record that soars, thanks to its mainly instrumental focus. With their music created in the same vein as former label mates Mastodon, the Red Album is an epic math-metal and prog-infused masterwork that never slows down- save for when the acoustic rears its beautiful head at just the right moments”- Sarah Kitteringham, Roadburn

In other related news, Terrorizer, the world`s leading extreme music magazine will be sponsoring Roadburn 2009.

"Yet again Terrorizer Magazine has been invited to be a part of Roadburn Festival, and yet again we are incredibly proud to align ourselves with such a gargantuan event in the extreme music calendar. I can think of few other festivals who so wholly mirror our magazine`s own passion for the riff, are as enthusiastic about those unique artists that push the boundaries of extreme music and are as obsessed with searching out the most exciting bands on the planet.

“Roadburn Festival is a truly special event that should be an essential ticket for any music devotee. Not only for its steadfast commitment to producing an unrivalled weekender in terms of its enviable line-up, but also because it`s a festival by fans for fans and ever since April 21, 2008 we have been waiting with bated breath for the announcement of its 2009 edition and are again so thrilled to be involved"- Louise Brown, Editor, Terrorizer Magazine

Orange Goblin`s Roadburn Festival Performance to be Recorded for Live Album“It has to be said that Orange Goblin shows are very predictable, in the sense that you know they are going to be brilliant before they even hit the stage”- Terry Beezer (Kerrang!)

British doomsters Orange Goblin will record their performance at next year`s Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland on Thursday, April 23, 2009 for a limited-edition, vinyl-only live album, due out on Roadburn Records.

Orange Goblin`s Ben Ward comments: “Orange Goblin are honoured to be invited back to take part in the Roadburn Festival 2009. It’s our seventh appearance at the festival that keeps going from strength to strength each year and we see the main stage at Roadburn as the perfect place to record our live album, which is what we’ll do! The atmosphere and the vibe at Roadburn is always better than anywhere else in the world so we look forward to rocking with old friends and new fans alike!”

Roadburn 2009 is set for Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland.

TicketsTicket pre-sales available from Saturday, December 13Tickets for the main festival, including Beyond the Pale, will be priced from € 99 (excl. service costs) with no campsite accommodation. There will be separate tickets for the additional Afterburner event and Campsite.

All countries can order online through Ticketservice (credit card) or order your ticket through the 013 venue (www.013web.nl). People in the Netherlands can order via Ticket Service, the 150 bigger post offices, VVV`s, GWK`s, and the 013 venue. More info will follow soon.

For those who didn`t get to take part in previous Roadburn festivals, and for those who did, but want to relive it, we finally have put up the on-demand audio stream of Neurosis live at Roadburn 2007 for your listening pleasure here.